Through the kindness and generosity of Mr. Kishu Chandiramani, the owner of Ram's Supermarket, PAWS is overwhelmingly pleased to announce that it has received a donation of the use of land for the establishment of an animal shelter. The land is centrally located in the Lime Kiln commercial area.
PAWS (People for Animal Welfare on St. Kitts) was established in mid-2000 by an American veterinarian, Dr. Karen Smithwick-Kier and Mala Weston, a national of St. Kitts, with the goal of changing the way in which animals are treated in St. Kitts and to decrease the population of unwanted pets through surgical sterilization and education.
Dr. Smithwick emigrated to the Federation in December 2000, by which time PAWS was receiving the support of Nationals and several students of RUSVM. PAWS became a structured organization once the students became involved. PAWS became a registered charity in 2004 under the Department of Community Development and Social Development.
One of PAWS’ major goals has been to establish the first animal shelter in St. Kitts. PAWS views this initiative as vital to its ability to fulfill its mission. The shelter would offer a safe and caring environment for abused and neglected animals, adoption services, population control services through surgical sterilization, education for new and existing pet owners about how to be responsible and caring pet owners, and raise awareness of animal cruelty.
Since 2000, PAWS has embarked on several fund raising initiatives with two main objectives, on-going animal care and the animal shelter fund. Also since 2000, PAWS has lobbied the Government of St. Kitts for the allocation of an affordable lot of land on which the shelter could be constructed. Having no success in this regard, certain fund raising initiatives were suspended until the appropriate land could be secured. In the meantime, PAWS has been able to provide medical treatment, temporary and permanent homes, and spay and neuter hundreds of dogs and cats in St. Kitts, largely through continuous fundraising efforts by the students of RUSVM.
With a location for the proposed animal shelter secured, PAWS will resume the shelter fundraising activities in the very near future. All offers of time, effort, and knowledge that would help us to make a shelter a reality in St. Kitts would be appreciated.
PAWS extends its deepest and sincerest gratitude to Mr. Kishu Chandiramani, and the RAM’s Group of Companies for its ongoing contributions to the development of St Kitts and Nevis.
B.A.R.C. works with the following animal rescue organizations including: One Love Pets (http://onelovepets.com/)
SAFE St. Kitts (http://www.safestkitts.org/)
PAWS (https://www.facebook.com/PAWSStKitts/)
CARE Nevis (http://www.carenevis.org/)
Ross University VIDA (https://www.facebook.com/rusvm.vida/)